4. Boston Celtics
Most Celtics’ fans (and even some players, Rondo) were irate with Celtics’ management when they decided to trade center Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder in exchange for Jeff Green last season. Now that Green will miss the entire 2011-12 season I can only imagine the sentiment among the clover faithful. While most were upset with the trade, Green did provide some youth that the Celtics desperately needed and will be missed. Continue reading
5. Orlando Magic
With the uncertain future of superstar Dwight Howard it’s easy to disregard the Magic, but this team is still pretty talented. They are coming off a 52 win season, but ended the season on a sour note with a 1st round series loss to the Atlanta Hawks. While the possible Howard trade is still the elephant in the room, the fact is as long as he is in a Magic uniform this team can compete with just about anyone. Howard’s dominance in the paint on both ends makes them a contender despite him being surrounded by a bunch of over-paid and average players. Continue reading
According to sources the New Jersey Nets and free agent guard DeShawn Stevenson have reached a deal on a one-year, $2.5 million contract.
He is most notably known for his Abe Lincoln neck tat and his trash-talking with LeBron while with the Wizards, but he can be a valuable player off the bench. He has been the NBA for 12 seasons and has played for five different teams, most recently for the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks. While he didn’t play a large role on the team, he did have a very good finals against the Heat. He had 11 points in Game 4 to help the Mavs to a victory and had three huge 3-pointers in game six to help keep the Mavs in the game.
Stevenson has career averages of 7.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
6. Philadelphia 76ers
With the shortened season, teams that haven’t had many roster changes should have an advantage, and the 76ers return their whole nine-man rotation from last season. They also have a good amount of youth which is also a major plus in a shortened season. Continue reading
7. Indiana Pacers
Larry Bird and company have a good thing going in Indiana, they are a very young team with a lot of promise. I might be low-balling them with the 7th seed that is how much potential this group has. They have an all-star in Danny Granger and have surrounded him with some very talented young players, all while keeping $15 million in cap space. Few teams are sitting in a better position for the future than the Pacers. Continue reading
8. Milwaukee Bucks
Last season, the Bucks finished as the 9th seed in the Eastern Conference, missing the playoffs by two games. They were one of the best defensive teams in basketball, but they were also one of the worst offensive teams in the league. It doesn’t matter how good you are on defense if you aren’t able to generate points on the offensive end. During the offseason they made some moves in hopes of ironing out the offense. They traded Corey Maggette for Stephen Jackson, then signed Beno Udrih and Mike Dunleavy, and drafted forward Tobias Harris. Continue reading
Ty Lawson 3rd Season
2010-11: 11.7 ppg, 4.7 apg, 2.6 rpg
2011-12 (projection): 17.5 ppg, 7.9 apg, 3.3 rpg
The Denver Nuggets are entering their first full season without Carmelo Anthony, and also without other key contributors Chauncey Billups, JR Smith, and Wilson Chandler. Without a true star to lead the team, the point guard assumes the role and I look for Ty Lawson to flourish with the opportunity. Continue reading
Restricted free agent Nick Young has agreed to a one-year contract to return to the Washington Wizards. Continue reading
According to sources free agent Baron Davis is headed to the New York Knicks.
The Knicks and Davis are working out the fine print and a deal could be reached as early as today. Continue reading
Free agent point guard, Rodney Stuckey, and the Detroit Pistons have agreed to a contract to keep him in Detroit for three more years. Sources say the deal is worth $25 million over those three years.
Stuckey was said to have been seeking a deal worth $10 million a season but looks like he settled for a little over $8 million. If you ask me that is still pretty high for him, especially considering they just drafted Brandon Knight.
Stuckey has averaged 13.6 points and 4.5 assists over his four-year career with the Pistons.
Detroit drafted Stuckey out of Eastern Washington with the 15th pick in 2007.
